The Face of Deception

by Iris Johansen

And you were flattered that I would go over Timwicks head and speak to you directly?

  No. The conceited bitch thought he should fall all over himself just because she was the Presidents wife. You dont mean anything more to me than anyone else. I dont need you, you need me. Or you wouldnt be here.

  She smiled. Youre right. You have a unique talent and an efficiency I appreciate. I told Timwick the way you handled the problem at Barrett House was admirable. She paused. But, unfortunately, Timwick is not as efficient and hes become nervous and irrational. Hes begun to disappoint me. You do realize that hes merely been channeling orders from me?

  Not the President?

  Definitely not the President. Hes not involved.

  He was disappointed. It would have been a feather in his cap to have done this job for the most important man in the free world. Then I should be charging more money, shouldnt I?

  Should you?

  If he doesnt know about what youre doing, then hes a potential threat. If he was involved, he could protect me. You cant do shit.

  Do you want to be protected, Fiske? I dont think so. Ive read your dossier and I dont believe thats one of your priorities. Youre not a man who relies on anyone but himself.

  His gaze narrowed on her face with sudden in-terest. Smart. Money is protection.

  Your fees are exorbitant. You probably have enough in a bank in Switzerland to live like a king.

  Im worth my fee.

  Of course you are. Im just pointing out that you could have retired in safety a long time ago. So why are you risking your neck doing this?

  Theres never too much money.

  She shook her head. You like it. You like the risk. You like the game. It gives you immense satisfaction, and the harder the game, the greater the risk, the better you like it. You love the idea of doing some-thing no one else can do. She paused. The most dif-ficult thing on earth is getting away with murder, isnt it? Thats the supreme challenge, the most inter-esting game.

  Christ. Maybe too smart. Perhaps.

  Dont be so wary. We all have our own agendas. I find your philosophy perfectly reasonable, and it happens to coincide perfectly with my needs. Thats why I chose you.

  You chose me? Timwick chose me.

  Timwick gave me a number of dossiers and he thinks we chose you together. I chose you, Fiske. I knew you were the one I needed. She smiled. And I knew you were the man who needed me.

  I dont need anyone.

  Of course you do. Im the one who can increase the difficulty of the game. I can give you a challenge that youve never been faced with before. Dont you find that idea exciting?

  He didnt answer.

  She chuckled. You do. I knew you would. Youre probably sick of working under Timwick. You like bold strokesdecisive, clean thinking. You wont have any problem with waffling from me.

  Hed bet he wouldnt. Youre cutting Timwick out of the picture?

  Im saying that you go back to Atlanta and check on Kessler. You pay lip service to Timwick, but you obey my orders and answer directly to me.

  It would help me decide if I knew what all this is about.

  She studied him. No, it wouldnt. You dont care. You think all of our complicated machinations are stupid. Youre just trying for a power hold. You appre-ciate power. Its part of the game.

  His lips twisted. You think you know me that well?

  She shook her head. But I know you well enough to survive you.

  Do you? He put his hands around her throat. Did you ever realize how difficult it would be to kill the first lady and get away with it? Think what a kick it would be for me to show those bastards how stupid they are.

  I thought about it. She stared directly into his eyes. But then youd be on the run and the game would be over. What a disappointment. I can stretch out the game for a long time.

  His hands tightened until he knew there would be bruising. Hurt her, make her back down.

  She didnt flinch. I have a list for you. Her voice was hoarse. Or, rather, an addendum to the list you were given before.

  His grasp didnt loosen.

  I knew youd like lists. I told Timwick so. Thats why he gave you She drew a deep breath as his hands fell away from her. Thank you. She rubbed her throat. Timwick told you to check out Kessler?

  Yes, but he didnt seem to think it was impor-tant. Hes more concerned with Sandra Duncan.

  Shes also important. I may have to make a decision about her shortly, but I dont want Kessler overlooked. Unless you reach him immediately, Kessler will be making DNA tests, probably not at the university. Find him. Dont let him have time to get the results.

  DNA?

  On the skull. You know about the skull.

  He smiled. No, you tell me about it. Whats so important about that skull?

  You know all youre going to know. Except that I want the skull and youre going to get it for me.

  Am I?

  I hope you are. Im not Timwick, Ill never take you for granted.

  He tilted his head. Now, I wonder who you killed? A lover? A blackmailer?

  I need that skull.

  Youre an amateur, or you wouldnt be in all this hot water. You should have let an expert handle it.

  I realize my mistake. Thats why Im having an expert handle the matter now. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Here. My private digital phone number is on the back. Unless its an emergency, please try not to call me before seven in the evening.

  He looked down at the folded paper in his hand. Youre taking a chance. Your fingerprints must be all over Gloves. She was wearing leather gloves. Then I assume its also not handwritten?

  Computer, and you wont find any prints on that sheet but your own. My phone is under another name and the paperwork is buried so deep that it would take years to unearth it. She reached for the door handle. Im very efficient too, Fiske. Thats why you and I will work so well together.

  Im not saying Im agreeing.

  Think about it. She got out of the car. Read the list and think about it.

  Wait.

  I have to get back. You can understand how dif-ficult it is for me to get away unnoticed.

  But you did it. How? he asked, curious.

  I explored those possibilities the first week I moved in. I wasnt about to become a prisoner. Its not too difficult.

  And youre not going to tell me. He thought about it. There was a rumor about a subterranean tunnel linking the White House to the Treasury De-partment. Supposedly Kennedy used it when he wanted to meet Marilyn Monroe. Is that how

  Would I tell you? Youd regard getting into the White House as a plum in your list of accomplish-ments. The difficulty factor might just make killing me too tempting to resist, and I want you focused elsewhere.

  Shake the bitch. He suddenly leaned forward. There are at least thirty-five secret agents and over a hundred uniformed guards at the White House at any given time. Its good to know there are ways to avoid them.

  Her face was without expression. You have the numbers down pat.

  As you say, its a challenging scenario. The possi-bilities have always intrigued me.

  But you have to remember that I have Timwick schedule those Secret Service men at times and places that make it easy for me to avoid them. Timwicks not going to help you.

  Not even if I tell him that you asked me to meet you tonight?

  You wont do that. It would be against your interests.

  He was silent a moment. You dont fool me. You were scared like all the rest. I could feel your heart jump under my thumbs. Youre scared now.

  I am. Some things are worth being scared about. Call me. She walked away from him and down the street.

  Tough woman. Tough and smart and gutsy. A hell of a lot more guts than Timwick.

  But maybe she was too smart. She had come very close in her assessment of him, and it made him un-easy. He didnt like the idea of anyone predicting how he would react in any given situation. He wasnt sure he liked the idea of working with a woman.

/>   Read the list.

  She had guessed how a man of his temperament would appreciate a list. But why had she thought reading her list would make him favor her?

  He unfolded the paper and bent closer to the lights of the dashboard.

  He started to laugh.

  The phone rang as Lisa was walking into her bedroom.

  Okay, Fiske said. He hung up the phone.

  A man of quick decision and few words, she thought dryly as she returned her phone to her handbag. Not to mention a certain lethal impulsive-ness for which she had not been prepared. She would have to hide the bruises from Kevin tonight and wear a scarf tomorrow.

  Lisa? Kevin called from the bedroom. Where have you been?

  Just for a walk in the garden. I needed some air. She hung her cape in the closet and grabbed a bathrobe with a cowl neck. Now I need a hot shower. Ill be in soon, Kevin.

  Hurry. I want to talk.

  Talk. God, she wished it was only sex. Listening to Kevin ramble and inserting the appropriate praise and encouragement was a strain she didnt need. For a moment, when Fiske had put his hands on her throat, she had thought she was going to die. Han-dling Fiske was going to be very difficult.

  But she could do it. She had to do it. Dont think about how frightened shed been. She had done good work tonight. Fiske was hers.

  She stepped beneath the hot spray of the shower and let the water run over her. God, she felt dirty. Just being in the same car with that filthy murderer had made her feel contaminated.

  But she was a murderer too.

  Not like him. She would not see herself in the same light as that beast.

  Dont think about him. She closed her eyes and commanded her muscles to relax. This was her mo-ment. Enjoy it. She had very little time to herself. She almost wished she were free like Eve Duncan.

  What are you doing now, Eve Duncan? Is it as hard for you as it is for me? She leaned her head against the wall of the shower and whispered, Where are you, Eve?

  Fiske would find her. Fiske would kill her and Lisa would be safe. Why was there no comfort in that thought?

  Lisa? Kevin was outside the bathroom door.

  Dammit, couldnt they let her have one moment alone? Coming. She stepped out of the shower and dried her tears. Christ, what was wrong with her? Fiske must have shaken her more than she could have believed. She slipped on her robe, zipping it up to the chin, then ran a brush through her hair.

  Smile. Be warm and sympathetic. Dont let him see, dont let any of them see. She swung open the door and kissed Kevin on the cheek. Now, whats so important that you couldnt wait to tell me?

  This isnt a very nice motel. I think there are bugs, Bonnie said

  Eve turned over in bed We had to find a place that was unobtrusive. Bugs shouldnt make any difference to you. Youre ectoplasm, remember?

  Bonnie smiled Anything that makes a difference to you makes a difference to me. You always hated bugs. She settled herself in the chair next to the bed I remember how you yelled at the exterminator when he didnt do a good job getting rid of the roaches in my room.

  That had been the summer before Bonnie had disappeared.

  Bonnies smile faded Oh, dear, I didnt mean to re-mind you of anything sad

  Did it ever occur to you that your coming to me automatically reminds me of something sad?

  Yes, but Im hoping someday youll realize that Im always with you.

  Youre not with me.

  Why are you trying to hurt yourself ? Just accept me, Mama. She changed the subject. You did a good job on Ben but, then, I knew you would.

  So now you knew who it was all the time?

  No, I keep telling you that I dont know every-thing. Just sometimes I get a feeling.

  Like about the bugs in this crummy motel room? Thats pretty safe.

  Bonnie giggled. It is, isnt it?

  Eve found herself smiling. It was my first thought when I came into the room.

  And you think Im using that? Bonnie clucked re-provingly. How suspicious you are, Mama.

  Then tell me something I dont know. Tell me where you are.

  Bonnie tucked one leg beneath her. I like Mr. Logan. I wasnt sure at first, but I think hes a good man.

  Whoever said ghosts have good judgment.

  Bonnie smiled slyly. Progress. Thats the first time you admitted I might not be your imagination.

  The judgment of figments of imagination are questionable too.

  Well, your judgment is pretty shaky too. You shouldnt be so hard on Joe.

  Im not condemning Joe.

  Yes, you are. Because of me. But hes a good man too, and he cares about you. Dont push him away.

  Im very tired, Bonnie.

  And you want me to go away

  Never. Never go away. I want you to stop preaching at me.

  Okay I just dont want you to be left alone. Her smile faded. Its dangerous for you to be alone now. Im afraid of all the bad things that are coming.

  What bad things?

  Bonnie shook her head

  I can handle them.

  You think you can handle anything because of what you went through with me. Maybe you can. But maybe you cant.

  And maybe I dont want to handle them, she said wearily. Maybe I just want to let things happen. God, Im so tired of it all.

  And Im tired of you mourning me.

  Then go away and forget me.

  Thats not an option, Mama. The remembering goes on forever, just like the love does. I just want you to be happy again.

  Imhellip; content.

  Bonnie sighed. Go to sleep. I guess theres no talking to you until youre ready.

  Eve closed her eyes. Where are you, baby? she whispered I want to bring you home.

  I am home, Mama. Whenever Im with you, Im home.

  No, I need you to

  Hush, go to sleep. Thats what you need right now.

  Dont tell me what I need. What I need is to find out where you are so that I can bring you home. Maybe then I wouldnt have these crazy dreams about you.

  Theyre not crazy and youre not crazy. Youre just stubborn.

  And youre not?

  Sure, Im your daughter. Im entitled. Go on to sleep, and Ill just stay here and keep you company for a while.

  So I wont be alone?

  Yes, so you wont be alone.

  SEVENTEEN

  NAVAL MEDICAL CENTER

  BETHESDA, MARYLAND

  7:45 A.M.

  "I am hurrying, Lisa. Scott Marens hand tightened on the phone. For Gods sake, I have to be careful. Youve got media crawling all over this place. Ive switched the teeth X rays, but its not going to be as easy to switch the DNA samples.

  But you can do it? Lisa asked. Youve got to do it, Scott.

  Ill do it, he said wearily. I told you Id take care of you.

  Do you think Im worried only about myself? Its you. I feel so guilty that I let you help me. No one must know.

  Its not your fault. I bought into it. He had bought into it over twenty years ago, when Lisa had come to his apartment and theyd become lovers. She hadnt been married to Ben then, and their affair had lasted only a year, but the short duration hadnt mat-tered. Hed loved Lisa since theyd met that first year at Stanford. In spite of the nightmare shed brought into his life, he loved her still. The pattern was set and couldnt be broken. It will be all right.

  I know it will. Youve never failed me.

  And I never will.

  Let me know when its finished. She paused. Im very grateful, Scott. I dont know how to repay you.

  I didnt ask to be repaid. But Lisa had made sure that he had benefited after Bens death. Honor, fame, money. But they werent enough. When she left the White House he would see that she came to him as she should have all those years before. She didnt realize that they were bound closer now than they had ever been before.

  I dont know what I would have done without you, Scott.

  Lisa in bed. Lisa laughing at his jokes. Lisa with tears in her eyes as she told him she w
as going to marry Ben. Ill let you know when I have news for you.

  Good-bye, Scott. She hung up.

  Dr. Maren?

  He turned around to see a red-haired young man in an orderlys uniform standing in the doorway. Yes? Am I wanted?